Norbert and Mary Smith are your hosts.

Norbert grew up in Mt. Vernon and after working 35 years as a contractor in the city of Newberg, in the Willamette Valley, he chose to build a home in the tranquility of Grant County. He is a hunter, fisherman and golfer who has much information to share about this unique area. Mary is a retired school teacher. They have 2 adult sons, Justin and Michael of Newberg, Oregon, who helped with the construction of the inn. The Smith family was active in the llama community for many years and have resident llamas who like to observe the occupants of the cowboy suite. Our newest resident is Ace, the standard poodle seen in the Kubota, ready to go to work on the NRCS project.

When not traveling, they divide their time between Newberg and Mt Vernon. They are beginning to see the results of a project done with Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2008. This project was the largest wildlife conservation project in the county that year. It involved clearing juniper, fencing cows out, planting thousands of riparian plants and hanging hundreds of birdhouses. The areas around the creeks are greening up and birds and deer and elk are enjoying the improved habitat.

"...you come to a spectacular wide-open view of the nearby
hills, the Inn, and if you're lucky, the llamas.

Norbert and Mary were gracious, engaging and fun hosts willing to share their extensive knowledge of the surrounding area." - Larry and Chris Baer